Diabetes & The Foot

Directory of Free Articles
Submit and Receive Articles Free

Submit your Articles Free
Retrieve Free Artices for your WebSite

SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE

Chess Sets | Jewellery Boxes | Private Equity

Can't find what you're looking for? Search:

6881 - Diabetes & The Foot

Diabetes & The Foot

by: Nicola Cupples

People with Diabetes are at high risk from various health problems such as:

Heart Disease
Strokes
Eye Disease - Possible Blindness
Nerve Damage - Neuropathy
Amputation of foot or leg
Kidney Problems
Gum Disease
Loss of teeth

Another health problem associated with diabetes involves the feet, as Diabetes is one of the major causes for lower limb amputation in the year 2004.
Amputation is obviously the last resort concerning problems of the feet, but it is surprising how a small cut or abrasion can lead to such dramatic results in diabetic patients.
Why is the Foot at Risk?
Persistent high blood glucose levels can eventually damage the body's nerves, causing a loss of sensation (neuropathy). Nerve damage can also cause pain in the legs, arms and hands creating problems in people's everyday lives. Your GP or Podiatrist should check your feet on a yearly basis, which should include a sensory exam to check for loss of feeling.
Small cuts or abrasions on the neuropathic foot can go unnoticed if daily foot checks are not performed. The cut can easily become infected, which in turn leads to an infected ulceration and could eventually result in the loss of the lower limb. Therefore the importance of daily foot checks, foot care & Diabetes in general cannot be underestimated.
High Risk Factors Leading to Diabetic Foot Ulcers
A small percentage of diabetic patients develop foot ulcerations, some of which may lead on to amputation. The foot is at a higher risk of ulceration if the individual suffers from conditions such as vascular disease or neuropathy. However there are many other factors that can increase risk of ulcers such as: -

Cold feet or absent foot pulses
History of Foot Problems
Foot Deformities
Limited mobility
Poor circulation
Inappropriate shoes
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels

A painless abrasion or corn can steadily progress to a distressing foot ulcer, and if left untreated skin deterioration may occur.

About The Author

Written by Nicola Cupples. Find more articles like this one at www.foothealthcare.com. Your online guide to foot health and well being.
info@foothealthcare.com

This article was posted on December 20, 2004

Free Articles Content is King - Get better SEO and search engine traffic by articles from TooBoring Inc.

Now on

{"source":"ebay","page":0,"items_per_page":20,"page_type":"index","keywords":"Diabetes & The Foot"}


	Other Sites \| Visitor Stats \| Contact “Baron Turner (also known as Barry) is a participant in the Amazon Europe S.à r.l. Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Javari.co.uk.”